Group outlines vision for district

THE Palmwoods Residents and Ratepayers Association has outlined its vision for Palmwoods and surrounding areas in a submission to the Maroochy Shire Council Town Planning Department.

The submission was put together in response to calls for interest in the Palmwoods Local Area Plan which is currently being devised.

The association’s vision statement says that employment opportunities could be created in Palmwoods in tourism and agriculture by capitalising on the area’s unique assets.

"Palmwoods can take advantage of tourism opportunities because of its proximity to the coastal strip, its climate, soil and waterways and availability of the railways," the report says.

"These tourist opportunities can only be maximised by maintaining and enhancing the rural amenity and environment, protecting agricultural land and the village atmosphere of the township and slowing growth rates."

The submission has also called for the LAP study to include the hinterland within its boundaries and to reassess the amount of land allocated as urban in the Strategic Plan.

"The June LAP newsletter indicates that the primary study area is simply the existing township, and other areas such as Orange County which are designated Urban on the Strategic Plan," the report said.

"The Palmwoods Residents and Ratepayers Association submits that this is far too narrow, because Palmwoods is defined by the hinterland as much as by the township."

The association has also recommended that Palmwoods’ population growth rate should be fixed at 3 per cent a year.

The report calls for a mix of housing types in the area to combat subdivision plans which would create a "sea" of the same type of allotment.

A copy of the submission can be obtained from the Palmwoods Residents and Ratepayer’s Association, PO Box 47, Palmwoods 4555.